State of the Homestead

Grumble...I've been finding at least one scorpion a night. If they'd at least hide from sight when people approached, they might be tolerable, but noooo. They're bound and determined to attack even if it means their death. Those of you who've been with me for a while might remember my first death-defying encounter with a scorpion. I make no apologies for their genocide. I smash them so completely, there's hardly any DNA evidence left.

I worry mostly for the dogs. Other than Iko, the other two are oblivious to the danger. But Iko remains my steadfast early warning system. He was an early casualty of a scorpion sting and he's never forgotten.

Garden: I'm harvesting squash, onions, peppers, radishes, bok choy, and Swiss chard. The tomatoes are starting to ripen too. Greg rigged up a temporary irrigation system for the "big" garden. This is the garden for all the tall and sprawl-ly vegetables, like corn, sunflowers and sugar beets. I still have room back there. I think I might plant some watermelon too.

I'm hoping my loofah plants make it. The fruits (when skinned and dried) make terrific scrubbers. The mangels (sugar beets) have been slow to grow. Half of them didn't make it so I replanted. I'm hoping now that we have regular water, they'll do better.

Chickens: I clean out the coops and freshen them with new straw every month, but this month will be a very thorough cleaning, complete with pressure washing and sanitizing. The poor birds have been pulling their feathers out so I suspect mites. I'll dust them with diatomaceous earth before they go back in.

Home: I was extra virtuous last week and painted the last guest room, then washed the carpet. It turned out quite nice. It's a beautiful pale apricot color. Very cheerful, yet calming color.

mural non-grata

There's only one room left to paint in the house, and a certain husband is fighting me because it has a mural (from the original owners) that I want to paint over. 

It's not a terrible mural, (I've seen far worse) but I dislike the colors and I'm not crazy about the subject matter--not for this house. Something classical would be more appropriate considering our furniture and decor. But if I get my way I don't want a mural at all. Too permanent.

Dogs: Everyone is okay. I'm still a little concerned about old Tank. He's sporting more fatty tumors than before. The vet wasn't worried about the lumps. As a matter of fact, he said Tank was in great shape for a dog his age. Still, it hurts to see him slow down. Iko, on the other hand has more energy than a nuclear reactor. He desperately needs someone to run with. Neither Tank nor Mama can match his warp speed.

Maria: I've been bugging Greg for a vacation, but I doubt it'll happen. I want a real vacation with scenery and someone else washing dishes and making the bed. The problem with having so many animals is that you can't just up and leave. And there are very few people I can trust or impose upon to watch said creatures.

I loved Sedona, AZ, but I wouldn't mind visiting some place new like Oregon or Washington state. Who's going on vacation this year? Is there any place you've been that you recommend? I'm especially partial to mountains or places of historical significance.